From drought to hope:China-Zimbabwe agricultural cooperation revitalises rural village

ROWS of solar panels glisten under the midday sun, while pumps hum quietly, with clear groundwater flowing through pipelines into surrounding fields, where maize is already tasseling and sweet potatoes are bearing fruit.

Zindi Village, located in northern Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland Central Province, has witnessed a rapid transformation in agricultural development and the livelihoods of its residents in recent years as China-Zimbabwe agricultural cooperation prospers.

Village head Weveson Zindi told Xinhua that most villagers, who rely on subsistence farming,have long struggled with chronic water shortages and unreliable electricity—problems worsened by frequent droughts

“When the drought came, there were only a few things to harvest,” he said.

The change took place in 2024 when the China-aided agricultural demonstration village project was launched here, bringing a group of top-notch Chinese agricultural experts to the village.

After learning about the water shortage, the experts moved to drill boreholes, install solar-powered pumps and pipelines, and set up an irrigation system capable of supplying 55 000 litres of water daily.

“With the boreholes, we can fetch water within our houses, and with the irrigation system, we can water our gardens,” said Zindi, adding that access to a stable water supply has made the once-barren land “alive.”

In the meantime, Chinese experts introduced the scientific use of organic fertilisers to local farmers and assisted them in gradually converting sandy soil into productive farmland. They also trained locals in professional skills, including the management and maintenance of mechanized farming equipment.

“We focused on three key areas here, namely staple crops, vegetable production, and livestock farming. More importantly, we have been imparting skills and knowledge to them, enabling them to follow their own development path,” said ZhaoKe, head of the fourth batch of Chinese agricultural experts in Zimbabwe.

He noted that, based on Chinese experiences,rural revitalisation requires not only improved infrastructure but also innovative management approaches and active community participation.

“We have learned a lot from the Chinese. They taught us a lot about farming. Now we can plant different vegetables such as green pepper, chili, and sesame, and we get profits,” said Handna Gwanzu, a villager.

For Gwanzu, the village’s transformation allowed families to cover their children’s school fees, which also strengthened their belief in the nation’s agricultural progress.

“We appreciated the experience from Chinese experts, and we believe more and more local farmers in the country will benefit from that,” she added.

—Xinhua